The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Lugol's Iodine
Posted by Sharon (Boston, MA)
★★★★★
I am exposed to a lot of viruses (around a lot of children). Twice this year I have clobbered the flu before it started by putting one drop of Lugol's iodine into a glass of water the second I start to feel weird. I have read that it is supposed to be 3 drops, but 1 seems to do the trick for me. I feel better almost instantly.
Black Elderberry Tea
Posted by mr black (Ontario) on 07/16/2023
★★★★★
Make a tea with black elderberries to help with colds, about 2 tablespoons of berries, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1/4 tsp cinnamon to 2 cups water combine everything bring to boil reduce to low simmer for about 10 minutes. I heard you need to cook the berries well because it contains some harmful compounds which are neutralized by boiling.
Bay Leaf, Clove, and Ginger Tea
Posted by Brent (Ontario) on 05/02/2023
★★★★★
Crush some bay leafs about a small handful, add some cloves fresh or ground powder about a teaspoon, and fresh ginger about an inch to some boiling water, boil for a few minutes on medium then simmer on low for awhile 15 minutes or so. Drink this to relieve chest congestion and open sinuses.
Black Elderberry Syrup
Posted by Joanne (Chicago) on 03/06/2020
★★★★★
Black Elderberry Syrup Found this stuff in the drugstore and didn't have much hope. It contains no drugs or alcohol, just elderberry concentrate and a bit of agave. It is VERY sweet so it is more palatable if you dissolve a couple spoonfuls in a glass of water. But crikey! The stuff actually works. Take it a few times a day and you will be perking up in no time. I prefer it to the OTC stuff that simply suppresses symptoms. I think if you go that route you end up slowing down the healing process.
Black Elderberry Syrup
Posted by Cindy (California Dessert) on 01/25/2020
★★★★★
Try elderberry capsules or powder to avoid the cold that leads to the sinus infections. As a teacher I usually get many head colds. Two years running I have only had 1! I seem to still get that darn croup in spite of the elderberry. It's not tasty swallowed with water out of the nyquil med cups that aren't in use anymore-unless I add bilberry powder which I understand is good for my eyes. It also comes in syrup (the elderberry) which I sometimes add a cap full to the lemonade in my lunchbox. Cheers
Colloidal Silver
Posted by Timh (Ky) on 01/14/2017 2042 posts
Chill the C.S. first, then ozonate and drink for best results. But back to nebulization or humidification like you do. Lately my circulation is going bad as of the chronic infection getting worse. I take a dose of Lipo-C and 500mg Lysine and occasional Hawthorn, BUT I seem to be getting best results nebulizing C.S. This method must deliver directly to the infection which clings to the artery walls. Lungs, nose, throat, arteries, all must benefit from the C.S. vapors.
Garlic and Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Armadillo17 (Chicago, Il) on 01/28/2015
★★★★★
For me, one of the most miserable aspects of a cold is the nasal congestion that blocks the taste buds and causes endless nose-blowing. This time, I took a clove of garlic, broke it into small chunks, and put a chunk up into each nostril. Leave it there as long as you can stand it, it will probably prompt you to sneeze eventually, after a few minutes. Do this repeatedly and your congestion will be gone in a day. Also, chew a little garlic all day and keep a peeled glove in your mouth to suck on. This, plus a dose of apple cider vinegar in water 4 times a day, got rid of 90% of my cold symptoms in 24 hrs.
Cayenne
Posted by Delila (Tel Aviv, Israel) on 10/18/2014
★★★★★
I just came back from a trip and I felt a cold coming on, my whole body was aching and I had a sore throat so I started drinking and gurgling with cayenne pepper, approx. teaspoon in a cup of hot boiling water, a very small amount of black pepper and sipped it throughout the day, and every now and then gurgled the drink and spat out. Make sure to drink plenty of liquids, otherwise the hotness of the chile might cause stomach problems and you will be running to the toilet. I am sure that the hot chili helped kill all the germs and viruses, and didn't give a chance for the cold to settle in. By the following day, I felt much better and the cold had completely gone away, although you have to continue this regime for an extra day until completely well. You should take hot chili as soon as you feel a cold coming on and try to catch it while it is on track before it develops into a heavy cold.
Echinacea
Posted by Michelle (New York, NY) on 07/16/2013
★★★★★
If everyone around you is getting sick: wash your hands!! And take an echinacea tablet (can be found at most drugstore, health food stores) at the slightest onset of any symptoms. This has helped me to prevent catching sicknesses from my roommate. Good luck!
Sunlight
Posted by Uvaid (Fort Myers, Florida, Usa) on 09/22/2012
★★★★★
I believe prevention is the best medicine and while I like most of Ted remedies, let me offer a way for you to stay healthy. Your body produces hydrogen peroxide naturally through a process called photo-oxidation. Photo-oxidation occurs when the melanin in your skin is exposed to sunlight. This process is your body's first line of defense against disease all over your body including you ear, nose, and throat. There is a direct correlation between available sunlight hours and the occurrence of colds, flu, and ear infections. During the summer months your body produces enough hydrogen peroxide to keep you free of disease but during the winter months the process of photo-oxidation diminshes. In addition, a study under the direction of Dr. Cindy Dunn has found a significant reduction in bacterial colonies on human skin including the ears and nose after exposed to 365nm light. Exposing yourself to sunlight only for a few seconds everyday has proven health benefits. If you are not able to get out into the sun everyday, I suggest usinig a light supplement.
Hot Water
Posted by Hawaiian_nut (Stenungsund, Hi) on 02/21/2012
★★★★★
Let's just say, I've tried everything for common colds, especially during winter season. When it comes to catching any kind of sinus or chest cold I am like a magnet.
Preventative measures by gargling anti bacterial whether it be mouthwash, peroxide, vinegar, or salt water seem to be an important step, but once youre in the middle of the gritty cold then its really buggin and I would not suggest too frequent ingestion of vinegar or other acids as they can, in fact, have negative affects on the body and internal organs if overused.
ACV works a miracle on my skin problems but when it comes to beating a cold in the middle of its worst, it just didn't do it for me. A friend suggested to me as I was coughing, to drink hot water. Not hot tea, not hot chocolate, not hot anything else, just plain hot water.
Sip hot water throughout the day all day long, from morning to night, no sugars or dry/solid foods, the cold will clear in a very short amount of time.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Cayenne
Posted by Sbc (Nashville, Tn) on 02/08/2011
★★★★★
Hi, I've been sick now for more than a week. i got a bad cold, swollen throat feeling, tons of drainage etc and haven't felt well.
well I tried the Apple Cider Vinegar (couple tbs) , 1/4 tsp cayenne and a couple tbs of honey... I warmed it up and gargled a few times... Then 20 minutes later, I did it again and have felt 10 times better. I have been concerned this past week cause I've had issues swallowing, I guess from the drainage andsore throat... This has responded so quickly. I don't like the taste of Apple Cider Vinegar but I'm doing this anyway... I'm gonna do it a couple more times today. I've also tried sipping a little of it to. I know that has to be beneficial. Thanks so much everyone for sharing this WONDERFUL little natural trick... Thank you thank you!
Fasting
Posted by Julia (Spokane, Wa) on 12/23/2011
★★★★★
Short term fasting is an age old practice in almost every culture throughout history. If you google it, you will see countless studies documenting the therapeutic effects of fasting. Animals naturally fast when they are sick. It has resolved many of my own physical issues, including fighting viruses and germs.
Vitamin C
Posted by Corinna (London, Kent, England) on 02/05/2010
★★★★★
When I feel a cold coming on I immediately take 1000mg of Vitamin C and continue to do so every 2 or 3 hours until symptoms subside. I did not get a 'proper' cold in decades. I may have some symptoms for a day or two and then it is over. It also works for my 10 year old son.
L-Lysine, Aspirin
Posted by Merryanne (Orange City, Florida, USA) on 09/30/2009 113 posts
★★★★★
L-Lysine and aspirin for fighting colds
I am a home health nurse taking car of special needs children for 13 years,,so I know from my health history when they come down with a bad cold with coughing and blowing and sling yellow secretions in my face,,I all ways get sick also,,SO three week ago the little girle I care for (40 hours at night each week for 3 year) came down with a bad cold, temp of 100.2, coughing and put on oxygen 0.5 Liters,,So when I got home I took 1000mg of Lysine and 1000mg aspirin 4 times a day,,and she was sick for 10 days. Now I could feel my sinuses trying to get congested and I felt my throat trying to get sore,,I took this remedy until my patient was over her cold,,And I did not get sick. This was the first time I never got sick caring for some one with fever and congestion with yellow secretions. I am very thank full for Teds information about Lysine and aspirin stopping the replicating of viruses.
Garlic
Posted by Erin (Rockingham, Nc) on 11/19/2009
★★★★★
Last night, on Day 2 of a mild cold, I made a drink basically like this one, except with a little cayenne and no salt. I woke up this morning with a mild headache which went away quickly, and my nose has not run all day long today. I am very pleased.
Hydrogen Peroxide in the Ears
Posted by Ki (Australia) on 11/23/2015
Of course , misuse of 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide can be dangerous. Use 1 drop Hp and 11 drops Distilled water to make 3% . Then it safe to use.
Hydrogen Peroxide in the Ears
Posted by Tammy (Spartanburg, Sc) on 09/24/2020
You should not have added water to your hydrogen peroxide. I am quite sure that is why you didn't get good results. Best of health to you.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Nanci (Berwick, PA. USA) on 03/08/2009
★★★★★
I have been using oil of oregano for over a year. I put a drop on my finger and apply it to a tooth that was starting to abcess. I had to put it on about five times a day but in two days the pain was gone and never got as bad as the one that had to be pulled. I would get it in a healthfood store to make sure it is safe for digesting. I'm not sure if essential oils for inhaling are the same. *oreganol* is the brand I have
I start to put a drop on my finger and apply it to the glands under your ear by your neck. One or two drops per side. Then I put a drop on my finger and put it under my arm pit because there are glands there also. I do this about five or more times a day. I have been able to ward off a cold completely when everyone else has it. I didn't have any because I lent it to someone and I went a few days with out using this. I got very sick and was in bed for five days. when I got it back I used it and two days later was up. I think I should have used it longer and I didn't. Now I got it back. I guess because the cold got a start here, now it is going to be hard to get rid of it. Now I made a cup of hot water, 1/2 a large garlic diced, 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of ACV and the juice of a Lime. I am loosening up already. Oh and the acv cured the hot flashes I had.
Hydrogen Peroxide in the Ears
Posted by Jill (Chicago, IL) on 11/19/2008
★☆☆☆☆
Hydrogen Peroxide in the Ears: This method didn't work for me. I tried it last nite....in both ears at 15 mins each....and I feel worse today. Not sure if I didn't catch it time or if I just was a dud for me. I am at least drinking the ACV but let me warn you ladies. I started out with 2tsps in 16oz of water 3x/day and I got a yeast infection. I stopped for a few days until the infection went away then started up with 1tsp in 16 oz of water and sipped thru out the day. After a week I upped it to two 2tsps and I think that is my limit. Still got a cold tho.....boo to that.
